Watch: 'Casting couch’ exists everywhere, even Parliament not immune, claims Renuka Chowdhury

Congress leader and former Member of Parliament Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday made a claim on the alleged culture of ‘casting couch’ that has often brought the Indian film industry under attack. 

Chowdhury said that the ‘casting couch’ exists in the Parliament as well. 

"It is not just in the film industry. It happens everywhere and it is the bitter truth. Don't imagine that Parliament is immune or other workplaces are immune to it. It is time that India stood up and said #MeToo," Chowdhary said.

Earlier in the day,  Veteran choreographer Saroj Khan has defended the casting couch culture, saying the Indian film industry “at least” provided jobs and did not abandon women after raping them.

In comments that come in the wake of the #MeToo campaign which calls out sexual offenders, Ms Khan put the onus on the woman and said the casting couch was not a new phenomenon with “anyone and everyone”, including people in the government, indulging in it.

The 69-year-old choreographer made the remarks in response to a question from a journalist in Sangli on Telugu actor Sri Reddy stripping in protest against the casting couch culture in the Telugu film industry.

"This is going on from 'Baba Adam's times', it is not new. Someone or the other always try to take an advantage of a girl. The government officials do it too, then why are we only behind the film industry? It provides livelihood at least," she said.

"Does not rape and leave you. It is up to the girl, what she wants to do. If you don't want to fall into wrong hands, you won't. If you are talented, why would you sell yourself? Don't blame the film industry's name, it is everything to us, she added."

Further putting her view forward, she said as to why would anyone want to sell herself if she is confident about her talent.

(With inputs from ANI)